Partial US Government Shutdown Likely to Continue Amid Funding Standoff

Feb 2, 2026, 3:02 AM
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The ongoing partial US government shutdown is anticipated to extend into early next week, with no reopening expected before Tuesday, based on statements from federal officials across the political spectrum.
House Democrats have declared they will not guarantee the necessary votes to expedite the passage of a funding measure aimed at restoring government operations. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, expressed optimism that the deadlock would be resolved soon, stating on Fox News Sunday, "We'll get this done by Tuesday, I'm convinced." He emphasized the need to follow legislative procedures, indicating that the House plans to meet on Monday to review the funding bill.
The current funding package under consideration is different from the version previously approved by lawmakers. This revision follows tragic incidents involving two American citizens fatally shot by federal immigration agents, prompting Senate Democrats to demand changes, especially concerning funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As a result, the DHS funding was removed and replaced with a temporary two-week measure, necessitating another vote in the House.
Johnson has indicated that he does not expect to rely on Democratic votes to advance the legislation through a "suspension of the rules," which requires a two-thirds majority. Instead, the plan is to proceed with a standard rule vote. However, this strategy may be risky for House Republican leaders, who hold a narrow majority and are facing dissent from within their ranks.
Democrats are pushing back, demanding a role in shaping the funding bill. Hakeem Jeffries, the top House Democrat, stressed the need for a complete debate on the issue, criticizing the "my way or the highway" approach favored by House Republicans.
The funding standoff has significant implications, as it could lead to furloughs of thousands of federal workers and disrupt various government operations. While some agencies have secured full-year funding, many others will run out of funding by the end of January, raising the stakes for lawmakers to reach a deal.
As the clock ticks towards the January 30 deadline, tensions are escalating. Democratic representatives, including Ro Khanna and Jamie Raskin, have publicly voiced their opposition to the current terms of funding for immigration enforcement, complicating negotiations further.
The potential impact of a prolonged shutdown is becoming increasingly evident. Millions of Americans could face challenges such as delayed federal worker paychecks and disruptions in services, including food assistance programs like SNAP. The American Federation of Government Employees has called for Congress to act promptly, emphasizing the urgency of passing a clean continuing resolution to end the shutdown.
With various factions within Congress holding firm on their positions, the path forward remains uncertain. While Speaker Johnson maintains confidence in a resolution by Tuesday, Democrats are insisting on significant changes to the proposed funding to address their concerns over immigration enforcement and other issues.
As lawmakers prepare to reconvene, the pressure mounts for all parties to negotiate a solution that can avert a prolonged shutdown and its attendant consequences for the American public.
In conclusion, as the funding deadline approaches, the likelihood of a continued government shutdown looms large, with both sides needing to grapple with their respective demands and the urgent need for a resolution before the situation escalates further.

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